China's power handover

Thursday, November 15, 2012

China's new Politburo Standing Committee members (from L to R) Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli, arrive to meet with the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 15, 2012. REUTERS/China Daily

Thursday, November 15, 2012

China's new Politburo Standing Committee members (from L to R) Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli, arrive to meet with the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 15, 2012. REUTERS/China Daily

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Chen Yongjiang, a fruit and vegetable farmer, sits on a bed as he watch a live broadcast of China's new Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping speaking during a media event to introduce the newly elected China's Politburo Standing Committee members, at his home in Chenjiapu village, Hebei province November 15, 2012. REUTERS/Terril Yue Jones

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Chen Yongjiang, a fruit and vegetable farmer, sits on a bed as he watch a live broadcast of China's new Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping speaking during a media event to introduce the newly elected China's Politburo Standing Committee members, at his home in Chenjiapu village, Hebei province November 15, 2012. REUTERS/Terril Yue Jones

A customer eats his lunch next to restaurant workers and underneath a painting of Chinese characters that reads "Long-lasting Prosperity", while watching television that is showing the newly-elected General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xi Jinping speaking at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing November 15, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A customer eats his lunch next to restaurant workers and underneath a painting of Chinese characters that reads "Long-lasting Prosperity", while watching television that is showing the newly-elected General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xi Jinping speaking at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing November 15, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Newly-elected General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xi Jinping (L) waves after giving a speech as he meets with the press with other new Politburo Standing Committee members (from 2nd L to R) Zhang Gaoli, Liu Yunshan, Zhang Dejiang, Li Keqiang, Yu Zhengsheng and Wang Qishan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 15, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Newly-elected General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xi Jinping (L) waves after giving a speech as he meets with the press with other new Politburo Standing Committee members (from 2nd L to R) Zhang Gaoli, Liu Yunshan, Zhang Dejiang, Li Keqiang, Yu Zhengsheng and Wang Qishan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 15, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Newly-elected General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xi Jinping (L) speaks as he meets with the press with other new Politburo Standing Committee members (from 2nd L to R) Zhang Gaoli, Liu Yunshan and Zhang Dejiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 15, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Newly-elected General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xi Jinping (L) speaks as he meets with the press with other new Politburo Standing Committee members (from 2nd L to R) Zhang Gaoli, Liu Yunshan and Zhang Dejiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 15, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Plain-clothes security personnel sit outside a police station located near the Great Hall of the People in Beijing November 14, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Plain-clothes security personnel sit outside a police station located near the Great Hall of the People in Beijing November 14, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Security staff members guard an area of the Great Hall of the People during the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing, November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Security staff members guard an area of the Great Hall of the People during the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing, November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Mao Xinyu (C), the grandson of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, together with other fellow delegates, leaves the Great Hall of the People, after the closing session of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, November 14, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Mao Xinyu (C), the grandson of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, together with other fellow delegates, leaves the Great Hall of the People, after the closing session of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, November 14, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

A staff member takes a photo inside the Great Hall of the People where the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is taking place, in Beijing November 14, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A staff member takes a photo inside the Great Hall of the People where the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is taking place, in Beijing November 14, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Government cars are parked at a parking lot inside the Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, November 14, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Government cars are parked at a parking lot inside the Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, November 14, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

A general view shows delegates raising their hands as they take a vote at the closing session of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing November 14, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A general view shows delegates raising their hands as they take a vote at the closing session of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing November 14, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

China's Vice President Xi Jinping (front, 3rd L) and fellow delegates raise their hands as they take a vote at the closing session of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 14, 2012. China's Communist Party congress offered the first clues on a generational leadership change on Wednesday as Xi and Vice-Premier Li Keqiang took the first step to the presidency...more

Thursday, November 15, 2012

China's Vice President Xi Jinping (front, 3rd L) and fellow delegates raise their hands as they take a vote at the closing session of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 14, 2012. China's Communist Party congress offered the first clues on a generational leadership change on Wednesday as Xi and Vice-Premier Li Keqiang took the first step to the presidency and premiership, respectively. REUTERS/Jason Lee

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

An ethnic minority delegate holds a ballot folder as she leaves the Great Hall of the People, after the closing session of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, November 14, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

Thursday, November 15, 2012

An ethnic minority delegate holds a ballot folder as she leaves the Great Hall of the People, after the closing session of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, November 14, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Police officers patrol on Tiananmen Square, next to the Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, November 14, 2012. REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Police officers patrol on Tiananmen Square, next to the Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, November 14, 2012. REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Ethnic minority delegates pose for a photo in front of the Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, November 14, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Ethnic minority delegates pose for a photo in front of the Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, November 14, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

A paramilitary police officer stands guard at Tiananmen Square, outside the Great Hall of the People where the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is taking place, in Beijing November 14, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A paramilitary police officer stands guard at Tiananmen Square, outside the Great Hall of the People where the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is taking place, in Beijing November 14, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Hotel guides pose for photos at Tiananmen Square outside the Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, before the closing ceremony, in Beijing November 14, 2012. REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Hotel guides pose for photos at Tiananmen Square outside the Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, before the closing ceremony, in Beijing November 14, 2012. REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic

A man walks towards a Chinese national flag as it hangs outside a home down a Hutong, Chinese for 'small alley', that is located near the Great Hall of the People where the 18th National Party Congress (NPC) is currently taking place November 13, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A man walks towards a Chinese national flag as it hangs outside a home down a Hutong, Chinese for 'small alley', that is located near the Great Hall of the People where the 18th National Party Congress (NPC) is currently taking place November 13, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

A paramilitary police officer stands guard in front of a giant portrait of the late chairman Mao Zedong at Beijing's Tiananmen Gate, November 12, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Lee

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A paramilitary police officer stands guard in front of a giant portrait of the late chairman Mao Zedong at Beijing's Tiananmen Gate, November 12, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Lee

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

A man waves a small Chinese national flag as he poses for a photograph in front of the Great Hall of the People while standing on Beijing's Tiananmen Square November 12, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A man waves a small Chinese national flag as he poses for a photograph in front of the Great Hall of the People while standing on Beijing's Tiananmen Square November 12, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Fudan University's student members of the Chinese Communist Party stand in formation to create the party's emblem, a hammer and sickle, to mark the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Shanghai November 6, 2012. REUTER/Aly Song

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Fudan University's student members of the Chinese Communist Party stand in formation to create the party's emblem, a hammer and sickle, to mark the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Shanghai November 6, 2012. REUTER/Aly Song

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

A foreign journalist raises her hand to ask a question during a news conference with Jiang Weixin, minister and secretary of the CPC Leadership Group of the Ministry of Housing And Urban-Rural Development, during the 18th National Party Congress (NPC) in Beijing November 12, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A foreign journalist raises her hand to ask a question during a news conference with Jiang Weixin, minister and secretary of the CPC Leadership Group of the Ministry of Housing And Urban-Rural Development, during the 18th National Party Congress (NPC) in Beijing November 12, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Delegates chat outside of the Guangxi room before a meeting at the Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Beijing November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Delegates chat outside of the Guangxi room before a meeting at the Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Beijing November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Staff members from the Great Hall of the People stand behind a counter waiting to receive coats from representatives of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing November 9, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Staff members from the Great Hall of the People stand behind a counter waiting to receive coats from representatives of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing November 9, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Paramilitary police officers' hats for a man and woman hang from a stand inside the Great Hall of the People during the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing November 9, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Paramilitary police officers' hats for a man and woman hang from a stand inside the Great Hall of the People during the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing November 9, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Workers watch a screen showing Chinese President Hu Jintao delivering a speech during the opening ceremony of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Huangshan, Anhui province, November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Stringer

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Workers watch a screen showing Chinese President Hu Jintao delivering a speech during the opening ceremony of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Huangshan, Anhui province, November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Stringer

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Delegates sit at the stage before the opening ceremony of 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Lee

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Delegates sit at the stage before the opening ceremony of 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Lee

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Delegates walks past police officers riding motorised vehicles as they leave the Great Hall of the People after the opening ceremony of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, November 8, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Delegates walks past police officers riding motorised vehicles as they leave the Great Hall of the People after the opening ceremony of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, November 8, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

A reporter attends a meeting at The Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing November 9, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A reporter attends a meeting at The Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing November 9, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

A foreign student member of the Young Pioneers rubs his eyes during the weekly flag-raising ceremony at the East Experimental School in Shanghai November 5, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A foreign student member of the Young Pioneers rubs his eyes during the weekly flag-raising ceremony at the East Experimental School in Shanghai November 5, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Staff chat at The Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing November 9, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Staff chat at The Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing November 9, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

A delegate stands at the entrance of Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, before the opening ceremony, in Beijing, November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A delegate stands at the entrance of Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, before the opening ceremony, in Beijing, November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

A family walks in front of a Tiananmen of screen showing propaganda displays on a bridge in Shanghai November 8, 2012. The venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at Beijing. REUTER/Aly Song

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A family walks in front of a Tiananmen of screen showing propaganda displays on a bridge in Shanghai November 8, 2012. The venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at Beijing. REUTER/Aly Song

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

China's Vice President Xi Jinping (front row, 2nd R) takes his seat next to former Premier Li Peng (front row, L), Standing Committee of the Political Bureau member He Guoqiang (front row, 2nd L) and top political advisor Jia Qinglin (front row, R) at the start of the opening ceremony of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Lee

Thursday, November 15, 2012

China's Vice President Xi Jinping (front row, 2nd R) takes his seat next to former Premier Li Peng (front row, L), Standing Committee of the Political Bureau member He Guoqiang (front row, 2nd L) and top political advisor Jia Qinglin (front row, R) at the start of the opening ceremony of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Lee

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Members of the Xinjiang provincial delegation listen to representatives from the National People's Congress (NPC) during their meeting in the Xinjiang Room inside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing November 9, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Members of the Xinjiang provincial delegation listen to representatives from the National People's Congress (NPC) during their meeting in the Xinjiang Room inside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing November 9, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

A delegate wearing ethnic minority costume is seen outside the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square after the opening ceremony of 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A delegate wearing ethnic minority costume is seen outside the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square after the opening ceremony of 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

A man talks on the phone at The Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing November 9, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A man talks on the phone at The Great Hall of the People, the venue of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing November 9, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Paramilitary policemen hold their fists in front of a flag of Communist Party of China as they attend an oath-taking rally to ensure the safety of the upcoming 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), at a military base in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province November 5, 2012. REUTERS/China Daily

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Paramilitary policemen hold their fists in front of a flag of Communist Party of China as they attend an oath-taking rally to ensure the safety of the upcoming 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), at a military base in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province November 5, 2012. REUTERS/China Daily

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

A security officer looks back as China's President Hu Jintao delivering a speech during the opening ceremony of 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A security officer looks back as China's President Hu Jintao delivering a speech during the opening ceremony of 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 8, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

People watch a TV showing of a huge screen shows a news broadcast of China's Vice President Xi Jinping at the 18th Communist Party Congress at a crossroads in Shanghai November 8, 2012. REUTER/Aly Song

Thursday, November 15, 2012

People watch a TV showing of a huge screen shows a news broadcast of China's Vice President Xi Jinping at the 18th Communist Party Congress at a crossroads in Shanghai November 8, 2012. REUTER/Aly Song